Fluid transfer structure



Aug- 5, 1969 F. DEuscHLE 3,459,177

FLUID TRANSFER STRUCTURE Filed April 28. 196'? FIGI l2o lo HG2 24 23 2o l5'` INVENTOR |39 FRITZ Heuser-M5 7L* |44 Wjvufwf L/M, MM,

.BY J am W a ma@ ATTORNEYS.

3,459,177 FLUID TRANSFER STRUCTURE Fritz Deuschle, St. Augustine, Fla., assigner to Brunswick Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 2S, 19.67, Ser. No. 634,722 Int. Cl. Alb 5/10 US. Cl. 12S-2 17 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLSURE A fluid transfer structure comprising an adapter to be removably secured to the needle connector end of an apparatus such as a syringe and having a valve to be actuated by the connection to the syringe end. The adapter has a needle connector end to which the needle hub is secured whereby the needle may be maintained in a patient while a number of syringe connections are effected as for taking multiple samples.

This invention relates to fluid transfer structures and in particular to valve means for use with -syringes and the like.

In obtaining a number of samples of fluid such as blood from a patient, it is desirable to permit the needle to remain in place in the inserted disposition while mal:- ing the several connections to the different lluid receiving receptacles such as conventional hypodermic syringes. To permit such maintained insertion, means must be provided for preventing loss of the fluid during the time no receptacle is connected thereto. The present invention comprehends an improved adapter for use with a hypodermic syringe to provide such desirable maintained insertion of the associated needle in such multi-sample operations.

Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved fluid transfer structure.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a lluid transfer structure comprising a new and improved valved adapter for use with a receptacle such as a hypoderrnic syringe.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid transfer stincture for use with a receptacle provided with means for connecting a needle hub in lluid flow association therewith and a llow control device comprising a body dellning a llow passage, having an inner end and an outer end, means on the body defning a wall across the flow passage and having llow passage means therethrough biased to a closed condition, means on the body for removably mounting the receptacle to the body with the connecting means extending into the inner end of the body flow passage and urging the llow passage means of the wall means to an open condition, and means for connecting a needle hub to the body for communication with the outer end of the body llow passage.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid transfer structure wherein the wall means comprises a resilient means.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a lluid transfer structure wherein the wall means comprises a resilient means and the flow passage means is biased to the closed condition by the resiliency of the wall means.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid transfer structure wherein the wall means comprises an element sealingly installed in the body within the flow passage.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such fluid transfer structure wherein the Wall means is formed integrally with the body.

nted States Patent F 3,459,177 Patented Aug. 5, 1969 icc A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid transfer structure wherein the mounting means comprises means for connecting the body to the needle hub connecting means of the receptacle.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid transfer structure wherein the wall means is provided with cam means responsive to engagement by the needle hub connecting means of the receptacle to urge the flow passage means of the body to the open condition.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid transfer structure wherein the last named needle hub connecting means comprises a luer connector.

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid transfer structure wherein the body is formed of resilient material.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a uid transfer structure wherein the body includes an inner inturned portion for retaining the wall means in the flow passage.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid transfer structure wherein the llow passage means of the wall means comprises a slit in the wall means.

A yet further feature of the invention is the provision of such a lluid transfer structure further including means for selectively opening and closing the needle hub connecitng means of the receptacle.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a lluid transfer structure wherein the needle hub connecting means of the receptacle is movably, sealingly associated therewith and the flow control device is mounted on the needle hub connecting means of the receptacle.

Yet another feature of the invention is the provision of such a iluid transfer structure wherein the needle hub connecting means of the receptacle is movably, sealingly associated therewith and the flow control device is mounted on the needle.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such a lluid transfer structure wherein the needle hub connecting means of the receptacle is movably, sealingly associated therewith and the flow control device is mounted on the needle hub connecting means of the receptacle, the structure further including means for tactually indicating the arrangement of the needle hub connecting means of the receptacle thereon.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of such a fluid transfer structure wherein the body is formed of a polycarbonate resin.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such a iluid transfer structure wherein the body is formed of a phenoxy resin.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE l is a side elevation of a fluid transfer structure provided with a llow control device embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged diametric section taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary diametric section of the adapter;

FIGURE 4 is a rear end elevation thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary enlarged diametric section of a fluid transfer structure having a modified form of receptacle end structure provided with valve means for selectively closing the receptacle, the valve means being illustrated in the closed position;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary diametric section of the structure of FIGURE 5 in the valve open position;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a diametric section of a further modified form of adapter.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawing, a fluid transfer structure generally designated 10 is shown to comprise a hypodermic syringe 11 including a receptacle in the form of a tubular barrel 12 having movably mounted therein a plunger 13 provided at the rear end of the structure with a thumbpiece 14 for selectively moving the plunger axially inwardly and outwardly through the barrel to effect a fluid transfer through a forward end 15 thereof. As shown in FIGURE 2, the barrel end 15 may comprise a conventional male luer connector having a frusto-conically tapered configuration adapted to receive the hub 16 of a conventional needle 17 having an elongated cannula 1S provided at the forward end with a sharp insertion tip 19. Thus, when a needle 17 is mounted on the barrel end 15, the barrel is open through the needle for fluid transfer into and from the barrel as a function of the displacement of the plunger 13.

As discussed briefly above, if such a structure is employed for withdrawing blood from a person and it is desired to obtain a number of samples, such a structure would normally require the withdrawal of the needle from the person during a change of the receptacle as the open needle would permit the blood to flow outwardly therethrough at such time. The present invention comprehends the provision of an adapter generally designated 20 to which the needle hub 16 is connected and which defines means for selectively closing the needle when the syringe 11 is removed therefrom thereby permitting the needle to be maintained inserted in the person while changing receptacle connections thereto.

Referring now more specifically to FIGURES 2 through 4, the adapter 20 is shown to comprise a body 21 formed of a rigid material such as polycarbonate or phenoxy resins and the like. The body 21 is generally tubular having a through bore defined by a rear portion 22, a midportion 23, and a front portion 24. The bore rear portion 22 is defined more specifically by a rear skirt 25, and the bore portions 23 and 24 are more specifically defined by a forward body portion 26 provided with a transverse wall 27 separating the bore portions 23 and 24 and carrying a forward connector end 28. The connector end 28 is externally frusto-conical and adapted to have the needle hub 16 sealingly mounted thereon. A passage 29 extends coaxially through the adapter end 28 and wall 27 to provide communication between the needle hub 16 and the bore portion 23.

The adapter 20 is arranged to be sealingly mounted on the barrel end 15 by means of an annular resilient element 30 having an axial passage 31 with a transverse wall portion 32 normally closing the passage. Wall portion 32 is provided with a diametric slit 33 which is biased closed by the resiliency of the element 30 in the normal arrangement, as shown in FIGURE 3. The element 30 is retained in the adapter passage portion 23 by a plurality of inturned fingers 34 formed on the rear end of the body portion 26 and which extend inwardly therefrom to approximately the diameter of the outer end of the passage 31.

When the adapter is installed on the barrel end 15 as shown in FIGURE 2, the barrel end engages the adapter within the passage 31 to urge the slit 33 open against the resilient bias of the element 30 and thereby provide communication between the passage 29 and the interior of the syringe barrel 12. To this end, the rear portion 35 of the passage 31 is frusto-conical, widening rearwardly and slightly smaller than the corresponding outer dimensions of the frusto-conical syringe barrel end 15. Thus, the element 30 is sealingly resiliently mounted on the barrel end 15 and concurrently caused to have the passage 31 thereof open through the slit 33 when so installed. Alternatively, upon disconnection of the barrel end therefrom the slit automatically closes to prevent fluid transfer through the adapter.

Thus, where it is desired merely to use the syringe 11 for a one time fluid transfer, the needle 17 may be installed directly on the barrel end 15. Where a multiple iluid transfer is desired, the needle may be firstly installed on the adapter 20, and the several connections to the needle may then be made be simply connecting the respective barrel ends thereto while permitting the maintained insertion of the needle without loss of fluid during the reconnections. The adapter 20 is extremely simple and economical of construction and may effectively comprise a disposable element for cooperative use with syringes and needles which may be similarly disposable.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGURES 5 through 7, the adapter 20 is shown to be mounted on a receptacle generally designated 111 defining a modified form of fluid transfer structure generally designated 110. The receptacle 111 differs from receptacle 11 in the provision of a modified valved end structure. As shown, the barrel portion of the receptacle 111 may comprise a collapsible plastic bag having formed integrally thereon an externally screw threaded end 136 provided with an internal transverse wall 137 having a plurality of through ports 138. A cap 139 is threaded onto the end portion 136 and includes an inwardly projecting axial portion 140 provided with an axial bore 141. When the cap is threaded fully downwardly onto the receptacle portion 136, the cap portion 140 seats against the wall 137 to preclude fluid flow through the ports 138 from or to bore 141. When the cap is threaded outwardly to space the cap portion 140 from the wall 137, such fluid flow is permitted, thus providing means for valving the receptacle 111 as a function of the rotational position of the cap on the end 136.

The cap is further provided with a frusto-conical outwardly narrowing end corresponding to end 15 of barrel 12 arranged to have adapter 20 mounted thereon in a similar manner. The cap may be provided with an upstanding, longitudinally extending, rib 142, and the adapter may be provided with a complementary, longitudinally extending, recess 143 in which the rib is received when the adapter is mounted on the end cap. Thus, valve-operating rotation of the cap 139 may be effected by rotation of the adapter with the rib and slot structures defining a mechanical interlock therebetween which may be readily effected by simply slipping the adapter skirt 25 over the cap. As best seen in FIGURE 6, the cap may be provided with a reduced diameter outer end portion 144 for improved mounting of the skirt 25 thereon.

Thus, fluid transfer structure 110 provides the desirable feature of permitting sealed closure of the receptacle before and/or after connection thereof through the adapter to the needle 17. In the illustrative embodiment, the barrel 112 may comprise a collapsible plastic bag which may be suitably collapsed by finger manipulation thereof with the valve means -137 in the open arrangement of FIGURE 6. By closing the valve means with the bag thusly collapsed, a vacuum may be maintained therein which may be uilized subsequently in facilitating withdrawal of fluid such as blood from a person into the receptacle. Thus, the valve may `be maintained closed while the receptacle 111 is connected to the needle 17 .and the needle inserted in blood collecting relationship with the donor. The receptacle may be then rotated relative to the adapter to effect an opening of the valve means whereupon the vacuum within the bag 112 effects a positive withdrawal of the blood through the needle 17 thereinto. Upon collection of the desired quantity of blood, the valve means may be closed by suitably rotating the bag 112 relative to the adapter, and the receptacle may then be withdrawn from the adapter while maintaining the needle in the inserted arangement as discussed above relative to fluid transfer structure 10.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, a modified form of adapter generally designated 220 is shown to comprise a body 221 formed of a resilient material such as rubber having a through passage 231 generally similar to passage 31 of adapter 20. The passage is normally closed by a transverse wall 232 provided with a slit 233 functioning in the same manner as wall 32 and slit 33 of adapter 20. In lieu of the connector end 28 of adapter 210, adapter 220 is provided with an outer portion 244 having a diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the needle hub 16 whereby the needle hub may be sealingly connected to the adapter by insertion into the passage portion 244. Thus, adapter 220 is generally similar to adapter 20 except for the unitary construction thereof and the use of the female needle hub connecting means. In all other respects, adapter 220 functions similarly to adapter 20 in providing a valved connection of the needle to any one of a plurality of receptacles.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and `scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fluid transfer structure having a receptacle provided with means for connecting a needle hub in uid flow association therewith, a flow control device comprising:

a body defining a flow passage, having an inner end and an outer end;

means on the body defining a wall across said ow passage and having flow passage means therethrough biased to a closed condition;

means on said body for removably mounting the receptacle to the body with said connecting means extending into said inner end of the body flow passage means on said wall means responsive to the extension of said connection means into said inner end of the body flow passage for urging said ow passage means of said wall means to an open condition; and

means for connecting a needle hub to said body for communication with said outer end of the body flow passage.

2. The fluid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said wall means comprises a resilient means.

3. The uid transfer structure o-f claim 1 wherein said wall means comprises a resilient means and said ow passage means is biased to the closed condition by the resiliency of said wall means.

4. The uid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said wall means comprises an element sealingly installed in said body within said flow passage.

5. The uid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said Wall means is formed integrally with said body.

k6. The fluid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises means for connecting said body to said needle hub connecting means of the receptacle.

7. The fluid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said means on said wall means comprises cam means.

8. The fluid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said last named needle hub connecting means comprises a luer connector.

9. The fluid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said body is formed of resilient material.

10. The uid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said body includes an inner inturned portion for retaining said wall means in said ow passage.

11. The uid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said flow passage means of the wall means comprises a slit in said wall means.

12. The fluid transfer structure of claim 1 further including means for selectively opening and closing the needle hub connecting means of the receptacle.

13. The fluid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said needle hub connecting means of the receptacle is movably, sealing associated therewith and said flow control device is mounted on said needle hub connecting means of the receptacle.

14. The fluid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said needle hub connecting means of the receptacle is movably, sealingly associated therewith and said ow control device is mounted on said needle hub connecting means of the receptacle, said structure further including means for indicating the arrangement of said needle hub connectin g means of the receptacle thereon.

15. The fluid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said needle hub connecting means of the receptacle is movably, sealingly associated therewith and said flow control device is mounted on said needle hub connecting means of the receptacle, said structure further including means for tactually indicating the arrangement of said needle hub connecting means ofthe receptacle thereon.

16. The fluid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said body is formed of a polycarbonate resin.

17 The uid transfer structure of claim 1 wherein said body is formed of a phenoxy resin.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 820,987 5/ 1906 Perotti 222-490 3,308,809 3/1967 Cohen 128--2 3,181,529 5/1965 Wilburn 128-2 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner MARTIN F. MAJESTIC, Assistant Examiner Us. c1. Xn. 12s-21s; 141-348; 222-490 

